Which strawberry variety is the sweetest? An overview of sweet strawberries

The strawberry is one of the most popular and most beloved seasonal fruits in Europe, consumed both fresh and used for making various types of preserves. An advantage in this case is the very large number of strawberry varieties (there are over 2,000 in total), which differ not only in flavour but also in their ripening time and the juiciness of their flesh.

Which strawberry variety is best to eat fresh?

Nowadays, strawberries in Europe can be purchased almost all year round, although, as one might expect, the fruits available in winter are imported. In Europe, the strawberry season begins at the end of May and lasts even until early July. In addition, everbearing strawberries are also grown, which produce fruit twice a year. In this case, the second harvest may occur even in August, which helps extend the season for locally grown strawberries.

So which strawberry variety is the best? When it comes to eating strawberries fresh, the most popular varieties are:

• the Honeoye strawberry, a popular American variety that is perfect not only for eating fresh but also as an addition to desserts
• the Elsanta strawberry, an early and very high-yielding variety distinguished by large, red fruits with a characteristic shine. They are firm and dense, and their flesh is slightly tangy and aromatic, giving them a truly unique flavour
• the Polka strawberry, a Dutch variety highly valued in Europe. Its fruits are quite large, heart-shaped or wide-conical. They have an intense red colour and sweet, juicy and aromatic flesh
• the Gigant strawberry, a variety that fruits from the end of May to the end of June. Its characteristically large fruits are even twice the size of those of other varieties. They are perfect for eating fresh not only because of their attractive appearance but also due to their intensely red, aromatic and juicy flesh
• the Roksana strawberry, a variety with characteristically large fruits that have an exceptionally regular shape. They are tasty and juicy, which is why they are recommended not only for eating fresh but also for use in cakes and desserts

Which strawberry variety is sweet?

In most cases, when buying strawberry plants to plant in our own garden, we are guided by their taste — specifically, their sweetness. The popularity of the phrase “sweet strawberry varieties” in online searches confirms this fact.

Which strawberries are the sweetest?

• Lambada strawberry — the sweetest strawberry variety available on the European market. Its fruits are perfect both for eating fresh and as an addition to cakes and other baked goods. The downside, however, may be its low yield, which is especially important in home cultivation.
• Donna strawberry — an early, very sweet strawberry variety distinguished by its large, light-red fruits.
• Daroyale strawberry — very sweet, characterised by high durability, which makes it excellent for transport. The large fruits are red and dark red in colour.
• Sonata strawberry — a mid-season variety that produces large and sweet strawberries. They are excellent for fresh consumption as well as for preserves and freezing.
• Alba strawberry — which begins to ripen as early as May, and its large, firm fruits are extremely sweet and aromatic.

Which strawberries are best for preserves?

Strawberry preserves allow you to enjoy their flavour after the season, especially in winter. By choosing tasty strawberry varieties, you can use them to prepare jams, confitures or compotes. Which strawberries work best for making preserves?

The recommended varieties are primarily:

• Pandora strawberry, considered by many to be the best strawberry variety for preserves, which usually fruits at the end of June. It is distinguished by large fruits with a sweet-wine flavour and aroma. It is easy to grow even for amateurs, which is why it is recommended for planting in a home garden.
• Dukat strawberry, which produces large and sweet fruits, and its distinguishing feature is their dark red colour. This is an old variety resistant to frost and various diseases, and it is mainly intended for preserves and freezing. Its advantage is high yield, which makes it suitable for both amateur and professional cultivation.
• Malinowa strawberry, whose fruits are sometimes referred to as “purpuratki”. They are sweet, and their characteristic feature is a dark, cherry-like colour. The plants are resistant to frost, drought and various diseases.
• Kent strawberry, which is perfect not only for making preserves, but also tastes excellent when eaten fresh. Its fruits are large and sweet, and the plants are resistant to low temperatures. It also sometimes repeats fruiting in autumn.
• Senga Sengana strawberry, a popular German variety that is ideal for people who appreciate less sweet preserves. The fruits are medium-sized with a characteristic elongated shape. They do not store or transport well because they are very delicate. It produces abundant yields from mid-June to early July.